Summary of Haftarat Ekev
Isaiah 49:14-51:3
The haftarah for Shabbat Ekev is the second in a series of seven successive haftarah readings that follow the Fast of Av, and anniversary of the destruction of Jerusalem. The Seven Consolations, each drawn from Isaiah’s Book of Consolations (Isaiah 40-66), offer words of comfort to Zion and promises of future redemption. Each one prophesies the return from the exile, Zion’s restoration, and ultimately, the Messianic kingdom of heaven on earth.
First Consolation (Va’etchanan): Isaiah 40:1-16
Second Consolation (Ekev) Isaiah 49:14-51:3
Third Consolation ( Re’eh): Isaiah 54:11-55:5
Fourth Consolation ( Shoftim): Isaiah 51:12-52:12
Fifth Consolation ( Ki Tete): Isaiah 54:1-10
Sixth Consolation (Ki Tov): Isaiah 60:1-22
Seventh Consolation (Nitzavim): Isaiah 61:10-63:9
Haftarat Ekev, the second of the Seven Consolations, begins with a personification of Zion in despair. She believes that she has been forsaken and forgotten by the LORD. But LORD can no sooner forget her than a mother can forget her baby.
The walls of Jerusalem are ever before Him. He will rebuild Jerusalem and summon the exiles of Israel. The influx of her returning children will crowd the city and repopulate the land.
The LORD will summon the nations to carry her children back. The nations will prostrate themselves before Israel, and Israel’s oppressors will be slain. The LORD will not divorce His people. His servant will speak to the nation on His behalf. The exiles of Israel need only to look to the example of faith left behind by Abraham and Sarah. Then the LORD will indeed comfort Zion and transform it into a Paradise on earth.
From FFOZ Voice of the Prophets
FFOZ.org